Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: THE OLD TESTAMENT, by JOHN NELSON DAVIDSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE: THE OLD TESTAMENT, by                    
First Line: Genesis tells of creation; of abraham's call and migration
Last Line: Thus with a word rich in promise he ends the old testament record.
Subject(s): Bible


GENESIS tells of creation; of Abraham's call and migration;
Of Isaac and Jacob; and Joseph, once slave and then proud Egypt's ruler.
Exodus tells us how Israel's children went forth from their bondage.
Next is Leviticus, book of the service by priests at the altar.
Numbers had wonderful blessing, and story of Balak and Balaam.
Then Deuteronomy, rich in the words of the great leader Moses.
Joshua tells of the conquest of Canaan. The book of the Judges
Int'rests with stories of Israel's chieftains — and one was a woman.
Ruth and her faithfulness charm us; then Samuel's words and his warnings
Give his great name to the two books that tell of Saul and of David.
Next are two books of the Kings; they tell us of Solomon's wisdom
(Builder was he of the temple); they tell of his riches and folly;
Tell of the famed queen of Sheba; tell also of strife and of ruin.
Two books of Chronicles sum up the story from Adam to Cyrus.
Ezra the scribe tells his people's return to the home of their fathers.
Distant, far distant, was Shushan in Persia, but thence Nehemiah
Brought to the hearts of the Jews few and feeble new hope and fresh courage.
Next is the book of Queen Esther. A wonderful poem or drama
Bearing Job's name tells his suff'ring, his patience and just vindication.
Then come the Psalms, rich in praises; and Proverbs, abounding in wisdom.
Mournful and almost despairing — the Preacher, or Ecclesiastes.
Next is a song — Song of Songs — a drama of love and of wooing.
Great is Isaiah the wonderful prophet, and blessed his message.
Sad Jeremiah hath this for his sorrow: Jerusalem's downfall.
"How doth the city abide as a widow!" thus cry Lamentations.
Whirlwind and fire with wonders infolded and visions on vision;
Wonders are these that the prophet Ezekiel saw and recorded.
Daniel of earth's greatest kingdoms destruction and overthrow telleth.
"Turn thou to God," saith Hosea, "keep mercy, keep mercy, and judgment."
Joel hath story of wasting and famine, yet trusts in God's pity.
"Ye who turn judgment to wormwood" have warning from Amos the herdman.
"Pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, O Edom!" said just Obadiah.
Nineveh called to repentance and pardon — the theme this of Jonah.
"Bethlehem-Ephratah, from thee shall come forth a ruler," saith Micah.
Nahum on Nineveh uttereth judgment; on Nineveh, ancient and mighty.
Habbakuk tells of the dreadful Chaldeans; of God come to judgment.
"Seek ye the Lord ere the day of his anger," thus warns Zephaniah.
Haggai pleads for the temple, and tells to its builders his message;
Then Zechariah speaks sevenfold vision, and promise of blessing.
Malachi saith that the hearts of the fathers shall turn to the children.
Thus with a word rich in promise he ends the Old Testament record.





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